I ask you to bear with me as I learned how to put 'watermarks' on photos this weekend. It has been interesting as my computer skills are not extensive. High tech and I have a love/hate relationship.

That being said ... I love adding watermarks!

While it took me a very, very long time to master this skill - I did manage to complete another Charity hat! This brings my total to 8. How gratifying to know that there will be 8 warmer heads in the world ... and I truly love the fact that I am using my handspun!

Spinning is something that I do pretty much daily. I love the way wool varies from breed to breed - and different sheepies within the same breed can vary greatly. The fleece of a particular sheep from year to year can even be quite different. One person's course wool is another person's 'merino'. I spin it all ... and pretty much wear it all.

I am currently on a Churro high! The Navajo-Churro sheep is listed as 'threatened' by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. I find this wool amazing and to be so closely tied to the Navajo makes my knees weak. Did I mention I was in AWE?

But check out pearl grey "Yazzie" on the left and "Kos" on the right! I just wanted to do a face plant into these Churros today!!

And "Katherine"? Well, this churro is already spun. Hmmm .... stay tuned to find out what happens next! WhEEEE!

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

This weekend was chilly. I was in heaven. So were my dogs. I find it weird that they are unfazed by wind chill factors in the single digits. I am even pretty amazed that they are still eager to rush outside and gleefully romp in the frigid air.

I joined them for a bit. After all, I DO have warm wool sox, hats, scarves, mittens and sweaters! (Yes - the waiter at the French Bistro we visited said I looked just like I had skiied the Alps ... *got* to love a nice Dale of Norway sweater!) AND - I also figure I burn more calories in the COLD. Not such a bad thing.

But, it also reminds me that many of us do not have warm beds, warm houses, warm clothes. My friend Stasia (who has *the* cutest goaties ... ever!) recently told me that she 'appreciates' the cold as it makes her aware of what she (we) take for granted. How true ... thanks Stas! I will keep the needles going for Dulaan, CIC or whomever else needs knitted garments!

The chilliness also allowed me to do some decorating. I have placed my new watercolor created by Miss Paris Breakfasts herself, Carol Gillot, right on my Kitchen Counter. Got to love ART!

Remember to stay warm - and help someone else BE warm! Comments, please!

Being organized in not my strong suit. In the scheme of things ... not only is not my 'strong suit' - it isn't even my closet! Try as I might - yarn, wool, drawing/painting supplies - all get the best of me. When I am not looking, in the dark corners of night - they multiply. 2 bags of wool become 5. 5 skeins of yarn become 15 ... and the art supplies - we won't even go there as each particular genre has it's own nuance.

Needless to say ... the Kreative Muse begins to drown.

My friend Stasia sent me a wonderful article from Daily OM - do read it, especially if your Muse is drowning too. It is an eye-opener!

On that note - I destashed a wee bit today .... 10 Skeins of NORO - anyone?? Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Not to much happening on the drawing front! I purchased new Derwent Graphite pencils and I am awaiting their arrival. Seriously - I can't wait for them to come.

So - I have been soothing my soul by knitting. What wonderful recreation. I truly think if more people knit, crocheted, spun or wove - the world would be much happier.

I recently found a small snippet (somewhere) which had "5 Rules for Happiness". I saved them - and remind myself of their importance daily. Since I like to share - here they are:
Free your heart from hatred; Free your mind from worries; Live Simply; Give More;
Expect Less.

I recently took some wool I overdyed (more on that in another post - I LOVE overdyeing!) and 2 skeins of handspun and turned them into a couple of hats for Dulaan! I still have more so guess what?? Yep - I am still knitting for Dulaan!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART ... Remember to practice the 5 Rules for Happiness too !! Comments, please!

I received some lovely Moleskin sketch books this Christmas. Pretty, aren't they?

I feel it is imperative to draw as often as possible - not only will I grow as an artist - I will also re-learn how to SEE like an artist.

Well, my sketch books were at home - and I was at work. Working in a preschool does allow for some interesting subjects. This tiny sketch was done on copy paper and a "regular" #2 pencil. WhEEEE!

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

HaPpY 2007! .... Seems over said as well as over stated - but here we are in a brand new year. I look forward to the Kreative Journey which I have begun to embark upon.

Yesterday was spent spinning wonderfully rich colors of wool!

Today, thus far, has been spent in the studio - organizing, tossing, rearranging ... all to stimulate and awaken the Muse.

I have been getting inspirations from "Everday Matters". Danny Gregory and his EDM group provides constant support and challenges!

But, as I sit with my cup of coffee in hand - typing away - I also realize that I am a wee bit intimidated. Am I fearful of the journey? Am I afraid of failure? Am I trying to do or be something I am not?

All of these are good Q's ... I guess any journey involves self discovery.

I leave you with a pastel I did a while ago. I am hoping it will give me courage.

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

The New Year is upon us ... time to bid au revoir to the old and bienvenue the new. Times of change are so refreshing.

I typically do not make 'resolutions'. My past history dictates that I always lack the follow thru required to keep them. It is all good though, I know this is going to be one totally Kreative Year for me!

So - I will venture forth into 2007 with knitting needles, wool, paint brushes, sketch books and spinning wheels tucked under my arm. My goal is to Kreate and make my small corner of the planet just a wee bit better for all!

HaPpY New Year!
*** Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!!*** Comments, please!

Christmas 2006 is now behind me. I am sad that it is now a good, no - scratch that - I am sad that is now a GREAT memory. It seems that the build up goes on for 6 long weeks - only to implode in a matter of hours.

C'est la vie. Weddings are the same way.

At least I have figured out that Christmas 2007 is in 362 days! Ah .... something to soothe my Elfin Soul! My friend Denise says I have "OCED" ... Obsessive Complusive Elf Disorder. I must agree. Truthfully - I have made notes for the coming Christmas Holiday. I do better if I am prepared.

Santa was good to me and there was absolutely NO stress. Remember how I love the small moments? Well, this past weekend was filled to the brim with them! I hope you were able to savor yours.

As I look ahead to 2007 - I look forward to a year filled with microscopic memories and pixels of Kreativity! I hope you will join me. As I say on my side bar ... the Playground is FUN when there are more kids playing!!

Today, I dyEd and carded up a storm! I have totally "Gone Batty"! How about YOU?

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Santa is coming! Santa is coming!
A HUGE part of me still can not believe it is Christmas. I mean, wasn't I just typing not so long ago - that it was something like 200 degrees under a broiling summer sun?

Time flies - but I am enjoying the small moments. If one lives by small moments you can actually remember things like what you did, what you ate, and what you wore. In times which are frantic - these small, special moments are the one to savor.

As we head into 2007 - I am looking forward to an incredibly Kreative Year. One with twists and turns, curves and loop-D-loops, swirls and spirals. Embarking on a journey with straight lines seems a wee bit boring, yes?

One of the first things on being Kreative, is surrounding yourself with those who inspire. Take a look at paintings by Paris Breakfasts - AKA: Carol Gillot. Her work is inspirational and it truly makes you want to run to a local patisserie for a quick sugar buzz. Tres Beau!

My Dear friend, Stasia is very much the Muse. She made these wonderful things for me a while ago, and this past week, I wore them to DH's work Christmas Party. How can one not feel special when displaying such fine art pieces? The scarf was woven out of my "Mermaids Singing to Starfish" colorway and the jewels? WOW - so bling bling sparkly! Each charm has a special connection to my life.

Thanks again, Stas! You are such an inspiration!

Start the New Year Kreatively!! I will keep you posted on my journey!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Have I mentioned how much I am enjoying Christmas this year?

Yep ... I am feelin' the love and goodwill towards all! In the past, the intensity of the season has been overwhelming. Gifts! Bows! Cookies! Cleaning! Cards! .... you name it! I have tried to do it all in the hopes that I do not disappoint. Well, the only one who has been disappointed is me.

No more .... I love Christmas. Love the lights, love the music, love the surprises, and the closeness of family and friends. If you ask me - it is over way to soon.

This coming year - I have high hopes for a totally Kreative year! I also have high hopes to do more for those less fortunate.

So, sit, relax and enjoy all that you can. Instead of buying more gifts - BE a gift!! Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Christmas will be here in 9 days. WOW!

That is pretty much all I can say. I still have packages that need to be placed in the post ... a few cards that need to be signed ... and a few things that need to be bought and placed under the tree. There is only one thing left to knit (Dubblemossa) .... and I am thinking that will become an "Epiphany" gift in January. Such is life outside of Whoville.

Two gifts are completed and await their turn at the wrap table ... nephew's St. Anton mittens and niece's lace scarf knit from alpaca. Got to love the fact that they are blocked too .... suffice to say, I have given damp woolies - fresh off the blocking pad in the past and the recipients, well .... they just didn't know what to say ....

In the spirit of the "9 Days left and counting down" - if you still need a quick gift for a fiber fanatic - I do know a place where you can get some Blueberry Moonshine .... Wink! Wink!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

I can remember making a promise to myself last year at this time - "Next Christmas - I will be ready!"

So much for promises. It isn't that I am totally befuddled in my gift making & purchasing. It is more like I have forgotten how to enjoy the Christmas Magic. More importantly - I am dismissing the notion of Christmas magic altogether.

Don't get me wrong - I am not "BAA-hum-bugging" it. I am quite taken with the sounds of Christmas music and the sparkle of Christmas lights. It is the notion of commercialism that beats negatively in my heart.

This week, I went to a "mall". It might as well have been another 4 letter word ending in "double L's". Most of the stores offered inferior merchandise with hefty price tags. UGH - no wonder I have lost the magic ... could I have bought into the media's feeding frenzy that Christmas is nothing more than inappropriate gifts inside non-recycable boxes & bags - tied with landfill choking ribbons and bows? I mean - should I really concern myself with what Britney Spears is purchasing this Christmas??

NO! NO! NO! NO!

Dove Knits has blogged in the past about knitting toys! Look at these fun booklets I bought ... just because Miss Dove inspired me so! (Suffice to say - you are only seeing the 'Christmas editions' .....gggg!) These toys will be fun to make and even more fun to give!

In the next few weeks - do support your small shopkeeper, local baker, and fellow artist! Shop at a local winery, artisan cheese shop and butcher!! These people BASK in the glory of happy customers!
Christmas is magic ... It is all about discovering it by candlelight not under the BAAzillion fluorescents at the mall.

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Never let it be said that I always wait for the last minute to do things! Dear nephew wanted Dale of Norway/St. Anton mittens for Christmas ... well, that is what dear nephew will get!

I started these babies on Monday ... and one is almost complete. (Just sans thumb!) YiPpEE!

I love doing fair isle and even though I was using my Norwegian thimble - my tension is tight. (I know you are screaming "gauge" ... I *do* hear you!)
While snug - it fits my hand ... thankfully - the boy is 10.

If I don't get this tension thing under control - I most likely will have to increase needle size when doing fair isle. Not the worse thing in the world - but it is a situation that I must address before attempting a FI sweater. Suffice to say - my next attempt will be swatched!

Guess I must practice more! O DARN!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Thanksgiving was good for me. Time shared with family & friends is a gift - and who doesn't like gifts? I *know* I do! But, for now, the KRAZYness has ended - time to concentrate on the 'everyday'.

Brother-In-Law has decided on a Dubblemossa! Dear nephew has decided on a pair of Dale of Norway/St. Anton mittens! Think I will be a wee busy over the next couple of weeks, but it is all good ....

There is still plenty of time to knit - and with that in mind - I have a shameless plug for my sock yarn! Spraypaint the Moon is a beauty, don't you think? Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Usually while working on a project - I am already thinking about 'what I want to do next!"
I mean, part of the knitting fun is planning ahead - thinking about new patterns & drooling over new yarns. It is the anticipation of a new journey that gets my juices flowing.
But, here I sit ... the Beaded Mitts are finis and I have no idea what to do next. So - suffice to say, my next posting will be a suprise ... to both of us!
A little info on the Beaded Mitts: the pattern is from Cabin Fever and the yarn used, Dale of Norway Hauk. (I used about a skein & a half). The beads were size 6/0.
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

How is your Christmas Shopping going?

While I am a wee bit behind this year, I *did* manage to order my postage stamps for those ever important Christmas cards. I know - some shutter at the mere thought of writing & addressing ... but - Christmas is such a special time of year that I feel it deserves all the attention we can give it! True Celebrations are few & far between. Personally, I like to celebrate small stuff ... but CHRISTMAS? Geez Louise ... It comes but once a year ... It is the only time of year *I* can act like a kid and look normal!

But back to the stamps ... special times deserve special touches. I ordered my stamps from Zazzle! What a great way to support the Humane Society, spread the word about homeless animals - and these stamps are "cheek pinchin'" cute too!

I have been asked about the fair isle mittens I completed last week - I ordered them as a kit from Nordic Fiber Arts. They are the Frostrosen kit in coloways #4686, fuchsia & #424, tomato red. Thanks for asking!

This past weekend - I completed a beaded mitten out of Dale of Norway "Hauk". Love the yarn ... it is really neat as it is made with 'teflon'. Should have some interesting water repellancy!

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

As knitters, spinners, artists - we all know how beneficial dabbling in our chosen art form heals our tender souls. The greyness of daily living can leave one 'blah'.

I have been 'blah' of late. But, boy ... have I been knitting!

I have finished 2 hats for charity ... they will be sent to those in need in South Dakota. I will complete a few more items first ... 2 just isn't enough.

I did complete my second fair isle mitten. While as I was knitting - I purchased a Norwegian thimble. I love the way this baby holds 2 different yarns and keeps the tension nice and even. It worked so well, that mitten #2 was smaller than mitten #1. (It was completed in record time too .... all I can say is "thank goodness for blocking!")

You should get one too .... cheap $$ for a terrific invention!

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

One of the first frosts of the season happened last night. I am thrilled. There is something to be said about seeing tiny, diamond-like sparkles covering the still - green grass. Pure magic! Cooler temps just scream wool!

Spinning and knitting this time of year brings me true JOY! Not only am I creating for the Winter Holidays ... I am also working on warm woolies for those who need them. I think it is wonderful that sheep can keep us warm, don't you?

Since it is now November ...The Knotty Sheep has chosen it's new charity for 2007. (Each year, I choose a charity and donate 5% of my sales - the running total can be found on the left side bar of this BloG.) If you need yarn, fiber and may be a wee bit of art work - I am your woman! Heck, who doesn't need more stash?? This year, my charity of choice is GREYhound Friends! Shop! Shop! Retail therapy is a good thing!

This weekend I hope to finish my second fair isle mitten .... and - Behold! - the beaded scarf is just waiting to become a gift - just waiting to be worn! Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

I can't remember the last time I posted on a Saturday. Rain will do that ... I not just talking about wee drops - I am talking something just shy of a monsoon. I am talking windswept leaves - complete with branches attached.

It is one of those days to stay in snuggled next to a loved one, sipping coffee, hot cocoa or some libation watching college ball on the tube. That is of course, unless said windswept branches pull down your power lines.

I like days like this. It forces me to slow down and to catch up. To organize and get familar with the things that I have. Sometimes, 'Life' infiltrates to the point of madness and it becomes a challenge just to climb over the clutter. Some seek to tame Everest ... I seek to implode the clutter pile.

The studio is getting an over haul ... it is long over due. I am feeling like the FlyLady on steriods. Wool, yarn, patterns, pastels, acrylics, canvas and various papers - all are in a flux. Things will get better - the sun will come out tomorrow!

Days like today also afford me the opportunity to catch up on some serious BloG reading. Alicia has written a great piece for 10/27! I urge you to read it - it is very eloquent and thought provoking.

But, back to the over haul ... here are the few tidbits of knittedness that were finally completed. The beaded scarf is soaking - so that will be posted later in the week. It is the Dubblemossa & one fair isle mitten. (Not to worry - I casted on for its mate last night!) Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

I am hopeful by this week's end you will see some knitting photos!

The beaded scarf needs blocking, the Dubblemossa still needs pom-poming and a fair isle mitten needs 12 more rows and a thumb.

Today, I want to inventory my Dale of Norway patterns and do a little fiber carding. Of course, I also need to catch up on my BloG reading .... did you know that Donna Druchunas is starting a blog book tour to talk about
Artic Lace?

It starts Here!. WhEEEE!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!